Finding it difficult to sell work

Hi everyone,
A work colleague found out i was a budding artist. She asked me to show her some landscapes and was really eager to have some for her new house.
I let the lady borrow a selection of proofs and told her I would charge her 10 per 10 x 8 unframed.
She brought my proofs back saying they where too expensive. This was a woman whos husband is an accountant. 20 mins later she was discussing with another work colleague about her new 1000 widescreen TV.
Has anyone else come accross this where people are initially willing to purchase then back off?
I'de rather not sell my work than have it under valued.

Hi everyone,

A work colleague found out i was a budding artist. She asked me to show her some landscapes and was really eager to have some for her new house.

I let the lady borrow a selection of proofs and told her I would charge her 10 per 10 x 8 unframed.

She brought my proofs back saying they where too expensive. This was a woman whos husband is an accountant. 20 mins later she was discussing with another work colleague about her new 1000 widescreen TV.

Has anyone else come accross this where people are initially willing to purchase then back off?

Yes get this all the time ,even when the pics are of the people involved in sport etc
keep trying somebody will like your work, perhaps you are too cheap, that can often be the case people feel by spending 100s they are getting quality, put price up to 100 per pic and maybe you will sell

Yes get this all the time ,even when the pics are of the people involved in sport etc
keep trying somebody will like your work, perhaps you are too cheap, that can often be the case people feel by spending 100s they are getting quality, put price up to 100 per pic and maybe you will sell

Welcome to the world of retail.
I recently had the opportunity to open a photographic gallery in Leeds in a very upmarket building in the very best area of the city.
One of the people who was to be in the partnership decided to do some market research and stood close to Harvey Nicks with a collection of photography...some of it very well known and costing in excess of 2000. The question was, what would you be willing to pay for a One Off, exclusive print of A,B,C etc.
These were people whose monthly clothing budget fell into the 500-1000 bracket, people who thought nothing of paying over 100 for a light meal....the average guestimate was 50....these people bought most of their wall hangings from Ikea!!!!

Welcome to the world of retail.

I recently had the opportunity to open a photographic gallery in Leeds in a very upmarket building in the very best area of the city.

One of the people who was to be in the partnership decided to do some market research and stood close to Harvey Nicks with a collection of photography...some of it very well known and costing in excess of 2000. The question was, what would you be willing to pay for a One Off, exclusive print of A,B,C etc.

These were people whose monthly clothing budget fell into the 500-1000 bracket, people who thought nothing of paying over 100 for a light meal....the average guestimate was 50....these people bought most of their wall hangings from Ikea!!!!

,
at a local very high brow gallery, a friend had canvas prints at 350 plus ,I though good profit, then took into consideration 50% commision, plus heavy printing costs for canvas mounted, probally next to nothing left over for the photographer

,

at a local very high brow gallery, a friend had canvas prints at 350 plus ,I though good profit, then took into consideration 50% commision, plus heavy printing costs for canvas mounted, probally next to nothing left over for the photographer

Hi Stuart,
Yes it happens. It may have been that she liked your work and wanted to buy it but it wasn't to her husband's taste. Sometimes people find it easier to give another excuse.
They're loads of great photographers out their who find it hard to sell their work. You have the right attitude by not selling your work for less than you think it's worth.
This will cheer you up, I just saw [link=http://www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto.asp?imageid=627066]this[/link] which recently sold for 80!

Hi Stuart,

Yes it happens. It may have been that she liked your work and wanted to buy it but it wasn't to her husband's taste. Sometimes people find it easier to give another excuse.

They're loads of great photographers out their who find it hard to sell their work. You have the right attitude by not selling your work for less than you think it's worth.

The truth is that photographic prints are a luxury item, which is why they are priced as such - and why sale volumes are small.
We also need to recognise that the economy is not doing so well either at the moment - look at the problems the high street stores have right now. When people cut their spending, it is the luxury items which are the first to go.
Mattw

The truth is that photographic prints are a luxury item, which is why they are priced as such - and why sale volumes are small.

We also need to recognise that the economy is not doing so well either at the moment - look at the problems the high street stores have right now. When people cut their spending, it is the luxury items which are the first to go.

Last photograph I saw in a local gallery was a framed polaroid of a railway signal in silhouette (blurry)against a blue sky for 50.00! Know the gallery owner quite well & they do sell very good paintings, but I did have to take him to task over that one.

Last photograph I saw in a local gallery was a framed polaroid of a railway signal in silhouette (blurry)against a blue sky for 50.00! Know the gallery owner quite well & they do sell very good paintings, but I did have to take him to task over that one.